SAGA DE RAGNAR LODBROCK

I guess the peculiar location of Normandy has guaranteed its place in "war lore". As far back as the 8th century the Vikings led by Ragnar Lodbrok swept (i would presume down) into this area and Ragnar reigned as king for a time. This French rock opera was concocted to relay the tale, probably better suited for a film or full multimedia production. Conceived by Daniel Proust and Patrick Alliard, with the assistance of a veritable Viking army of musicians and vocalists, this is not your standard prog folk fare, but more the province of the French drama queens of the ANGE school. As such, while occasional well composed themes do appear in the early going as well as the thematically unrelated bonus tracks, the main event collapses under the angst of melodramatic narrative for several interminable passages, particularly on the 18 minute piece de resistance, which for me was more of a piece de abandon. Surely if it had been composed 1200 years earlier and played for Mr Lodbrok he would have retreated post haste and been spared death in a viper pit at the hands of the King of Northumbria. I added a half star for the bonus numbers, which are more ALAN STIVELL, MALICORNE and TRI YANN oriented, and rather enjoyable.